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Castleton Botanical Gardens

Castleton Botanical Gardens, located in St. Mary, Jamaica, lies along the Kingston to St. Mary main road. Established on November 19, 1862, the garden was created as a replacement for the Bath site in St. Thomas. Over time, Castleton Gardens became one of the most famous botanical gardens in the hemisphere, known for its wide variety of plants.

In its early years, the garden featured over 4,000 species of plants from the renowned Kew Gardens in England. By 1897, it housed 180 species of palms in its Palmetum, with many plants introduced to Jamaica during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the PoincianaBombay MangoSpathodeaNavel Orange, and tangerine.

Today, Castleton Gardens still showcases rare plants such as Strychnos (from which the poison strychnine is derived), Velvet AppleWest Indian Mahogany, and coffee.

Nestled in the cool hills of St. Mary, the garden is a peaceful haven for nature lovers. The nearby Wag Water Riveroffers a refreshing swim, and the scenic walk from Temple Hall is a popular route. Visitors can enjoy close views of the lush plants and listen to the birds, with the river’s soothing sounds in the background. Castleton Gardens remains a tranquil escape for relaxation and nature appreciation.


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